Filling head



July 28, 195-9 J. cs. VOELKER FILLING HEAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5, 1957 INVENTOR:

I afid'qelker W @11 7); MW)

ATTORNEYS.

July 28, 1959 J. G. VOELKER FILLING HEAD Filed June 5, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jjwbn GMop-lken af wp y MM A'ITORNEYS- 2,896,675 FILLING HEAD John G. Voelirer, Baltimore, Md.,; assignor toicrown Cork & Seal Company, .Inc.,1Balfimore, Md., a corporation .of New York Application June 5, 1957, Serial"No.- 663,804

9 Claims. (Cl. 141-:39)

The present invention relates to filling -heads =and more particularly to improved filling valves for filling heads of the type used in counterpressure type of filling machines for flowing carbonated liquids into bottles or other containers.

The present invention is an improvement of the type offilling head disclosed in the copending United States application of Carl L. Day, et al., serially numbered 542,811 and filed October 26, 1955. In theaforementioned Day et al. application, Serial No. 542,811, a carbonated beverage filling machine'used tofill containers-with a premixed carbonated liquid, such as carbonated water and syrup, is disclosed, the liquid filling valve being made with a flexible rubber valve element. The liquid valve element is adapted to close a liquid passage whichsurrounds a gas tube that is centrally locatedw-ithrespect thereto. Certain difiiculties have been encountered when using a flexible liquid valve element in a carbonated beveragefillerofthe type disclosed inthe aforementioned Day et al. application, "SerialNo. 542,8lland the-presentinvention has for an objectan' improved liquid filling valve which obviates difiiculties encountered due tothe use of carbonated liquids.

Another objectof the present-invention is to provide it an improved filling valve-made of a -flexible material, the

valve being so designed-and constructed that unbalanced pressure conditions existing across the valve element will not effect the operation of the valveelement.

-still another. object ofthe present invention is to provide an improved liquid valve-element which will 'have "greater serviceabili-ty over longer periods of time even appear more fully in the following specification, claims and accompanying drawings, in'which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentaryvertical radial section through the reservoir of a rotary type of filling machine, the filling-head being shown part-ially in elevation and partially in section.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 ofFigure 1.

Figure} is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the filling nozzle structure of. the present invention taken on theline 3-3 OfFigure 2 and showing'the liquid filling valve -in-the closed position.

1 Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the collar member.

{Figure Sis a vertical sectional view of the collar member taken on thelineS- -S of-Figure 4.

, 2,896,675 Patented July as, 1.959

'2 Figure 6*is an enlarged plan view ofthe washer-shaped element used with the present invention.

Figure 7 is a view partly in section and partlyin side .elevation of the Washer-shaped element of Figure 6.

The present invention is adapted for use with rotary type'gfilling machines havinga rotary filling table with a plurality of vertically movable supporting platforms circumferentially spaced thereon and a. rotary reservoir 12 mounted above the filling table and supporting a plurality of filling heads generally indicated. at 10. One ofthe filling heads 10 is provided in vertical alignment above each of the containensupporting platforms.

The platforms (not shown), when in their lowered position, receive empty containers, such as bottles, cans or the like and then raises them "in engagement with the filling heads 10, where the containers are filled with a carbonated liquid. After filling, the containers are lowered from the filling heads and are then removed from .the platforms and transferredto suitable container ,closing mechanism.

"The filling reservoir 12, .which may be of annular or doughnut form, is supplied with a carbonated liquid and a superposed body of gas. The carbonated liquid. may be a pre-mixedliquid comprising syrup, fruit pulp or the like and a carbonated water, or it may be just carbonated water i with flavoring beingpreviously supplied to the containers being filled. The gas or air above the body of liquid in reservoir 12 is maintained at a desired pressure by theusual control means for counterpressure filling machines.

As disclosed in the aforementioned Day et al. application, Serial No. 542,811, the filling head 10 of the present invention includes a liquid filling valve, .generally indicated at 14, a gas valve generally indicatedat 16, a filling nozzle structure 18 and a trip lever 20 for operating valve-operating mechanism 22 The trip valve 2t). is adapted to engage and be moved. by fixed trips mounted about the periphery of the filling machine, 'The automatically. stop-because of the restricted flow orifice through the liquid filling valve 14, as willj e described later in the specification. When a container is filled and liquid flowhas. been stopped, the valve trip 20 is moved to a position where the liquid valve 14 and gas valve 16, are positively closed by the valve-operating mechanism 22.

i A snift valve 24 carried by the nozzle structure .18 is adapted. to be operated by a fixed trip (not shown), the snift valve when opened after filling of a container is completed places the head space of the container C in communication with atmosphere and, thus, permits the container to be lowered away. from the filling nozzle structure 18.

In more detail, reservoir 12, which ispressure tight, is providedwith .a bottom wall '26 having apertures 28 therein that are adapted to receive the filling valve 14. A collar 30 depends downwardly from the bottom wall 26 of the reservoir. and surrounds each of the apertures 28. The collar 30 is internally threaded and is adapted to receive .and support the nozzle structure 18.

Nozzle structure 18 includes an annular adapter member 32 which is received in the collar or flange 30, a retaining ring 34 threadedly received in collar 30 and a sealing ring 36 adapted for sealing engagement with the'container C. Retaining ring 34 not only supports the adapter member 32 within the collar 30, as shown in Figure 1, but it also supports the sealing ring 36.

Sealing ring 36, as described in the aforementioned Day et a1. application, Serial No. 542,811, is made of a resilient material and may be easily removed and replaced from the retaining ring 34 by merely snapping it into and out of position.

Adapter member 32, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is provided with a circular recess 38 on its upper surface which is complementary in diameter to the diameter of the aperture 28 in the bottom wall 26 of reservoir 12. The flat surface of recess 38 provides a seat face 40 for the liquid valve 14. A thin web member 42 is provided in the adapter member 32 and defines a plurality of spaced vertical apertures 44. Web 42 is provided with a center boss 46 having a bore 48 therethrough. A portion 50 of the boss 46 is of reduced diameter and extends upwardly with respect to the adapter 32. A gas tube 52 made of two sections is received and supported in the bore 48 of the boss 46. A portion of the gas tube 52 extends upwardly in the reservoir 12, the gas valve 16 being positioned at its upper end. The other portion of the gas tube 52 extends downwardly beneath the nozzle structure 18, as shown in Figure 1.

Liquid valve 14 includes a liquid valve element 54 made of a resilient deformable material, such as rubber, synthetic rubber or the like, and is annular in shape, so as to have sealing engagement with the seat face 40 of the surface 38 provided in adapter member 32. It will be noted from Figures 2 and 3 that the liquid valve element 54 seals on the outside of the circumferentially spaced passages 44. Liquid valve element 54 is provided with an inner sleeve 56 extending upwardly from the face of the valve and an outer sleeve 58 also extending upwardly from the face of the valve. The upward extension or reduced portion 50 of the boss 46 is adapted to receive and retain the liquid valve element 54 thereon with respect to the gas tube 52. A tubular guide member 60 carried on gas tube 52 and urged downwardly with respect thereto by a spring means 62, is provided with a rounded nose portion 64 that is adapted to bear against the upper surface of the valve element 54. As shown in Figure 3 the nose portion 64 clamps the inner sleeve 56 of the valve element 54 to the reduced portion 50 of the boss 46 so that there can be no relative movement with respect to these parts.

An undercut groove 66 is provided in the inner wall of the outer sleeve 58 of valve element 54. A tubular liquid valve-actuating stem 68 operated by the valve operating mechanism 22 is provided with a locking flange 70 at its lower end, the locking flange being adapted to be received in the groove 66. Since liquid valve-actuating stem 68 can be moved vertically upwardly by the valve-operating mechanism 22, as described in the aforementioned Day et al. application, Serial No. 542,811, the flexible valve element 54 will move upwardly about the rounded nose portion 64 of the guide member 60. Liquid can then flow from the reservoir 22 through the aperture 28 in its bottom wall and then through the holes 44 in the nozzle structure 18 into the container C.

i As best shown in Figures 3, 6 and 7, a rigid washershaped element 72 is provided on the reduced portion 50 of boss 46 beneath the liquid valve element 54. The washer-shaped member 72 fits inside a recess portion 74 on the lower face of Valve element 54 and prevents the flexible valve element from bulging downwardly when there is an unbalanced pressure condition across the valve element. In other words, if the valve element 54 is permitted to bulge downwardly it will have a tendency to impede the flow of liquid through the holes 44 when the liquid valve element is opened. In addition, the washer-shaped element 72 prevents the liquid valve element 54 from taking a permanent set downwardly caused by the valve element being flexed about the bullet-like nose 64 of guide 64). Washer element 72 tapers in thickness from its center toward its outer circumference as best shown in Figures 3 and 6. Further, it will be noted that the outside diameter of the washer element 72 is at least as great as the diameter of a circle circumscribing the holes 44 in adapter member 32. As mentioned above, the provision of the washer-like element 72 reinforces the lower surface of the rubber or rubber-like valve element 54 and provides for longer life of the valve element and a constant liquid fiow through the valve element since there will be no permanent set taken in the valve element to impede flow when the valve element is open.

In addition to the washer-like element 72, a collar member 76 is detachably secured to the valve-operating stem 68 by means of machine screws 78 or the like. The collar member 76 is provided with a lower portion 86 having an inside diameter suflicient to surround the outer sleeve 58 of the flexible valve element 54. As best shown in Figure 3 the lower portion 80 is spaced from the outer surface of outer sleeve 58. Transverse apertures 82 are provided in the collar member 76 so that when the liquid valve element 54 is open there will be liquid flow between the collar member and the outer surface of the sleeve 58 (as indicated by the arrows A), as well as on the outside of the collar member between it and the side wall of the aperture 28 (as indicated by the arrows B). The lower end 86 of the collar member 76 is spaced upwardly slightly from the seating surface 40, when the valve element 54 is in a normally closed position, as shown in Figure 3. However, the end 86 of collar member 76 provides a stop for the downward movement of the sleeve or valve-actuating stem 68 under conditions of high tank or reservoir pressures. In other words, the collar member 76 will prevent damage -to the deformable liquid valve element 54 as it will limit the downward movement of the valveactuating stem or sleeve 68.

Collar member 76 in addition to providing a downward stop for the valve-actuating stem 68, also provides a shroud to confine the outer sleeve 58 of valve element 54. Because the valve element 54 is adapted for use in a carhonated beverage type of filler, the pressures within the filler might have a tendency, under certain conditions, to cause the outer sleeve 58 to expand across its major diameter and, if this condition existed, the sleeve would disengage from the locking flange 70 of the valve-actuating stem 68. Collar member 76 shrouds the sleeve and prevents any expansion sutficient to disengage the sleeve 58 from the locking flange 70.

As mentioned in the aforementioned Day et a1. application, Serial No. 542,811, control of the distance between the wall of the aperture 28 and the filling valve element 54 can be utilized to cause the stop of flow of liquid automatically when gas within the container has built up a pressure equal to the pressure of the liquid in the reservoir. By controlling the distance between the wall of the aperture 28 and the filling valve element 54, the height'of fill could be set to a predetermined level. The collar member 76 may be used for controlling this distance rather than the wall of the rubber valve element 54. By making the collar element of different external diameters, the amount of surface tension built up across the gap for various pressures of filling can be controlled so that the control of the final fill level of the bottle can be accurately maintained.

The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of description and not limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim: I

1. In a filling valve for use with a counterpressure filler of the type having a reservoir for liquid and a superposed body of gas; a nozzle structure adapted to be supported on a bottom apertured wall of the reservoir, said nozzle structure having a liquid passage therethrough communicating with the aperture in the wall of the reservoir, a web extending transversely of said liquid passage and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes in said liquid passage, a gas tube carried centrally by said web and extending upwardly into the superposed body of gas in the reservoir and downwardly beneath said nozzle structure, an annular resilient liquid Valve element adapted to engage a surface of said nozzle structure circumscribing the holes defined by said web, means to flex said liquid valve upwardly for providing liquid flow, and a rigid washer-shaped element carried beneath said resilient liquid valve element for preventing downward deflection of said resilient liquid valve into the holes of said web when said liquid is in closed position.

2. A filling valve of the character described in claim 1, wherein said washer-shaped element tapers in thickness from its center toward its outer circumference.

3. In a filling valve for a counter-pressure filler of the type having a reservoir for liquid and a superposed body of gas; a container-engaging nozzle structure adapted to be supported on the bottom apertured wall of said reservoir, said nozzle structure having a liquid passage therethrough and a web in said liquid passage and defining circumferentially spaced holes in said liquid passage, a boss provided on the center of said web and having a portion of reduced diameter extending upwardly of'the nozzle structure, said boss having a vertical bore therethrough, a gas tube carried by said boss and extending upwardly into the superposed body of gas in the reservoir and downwardly beneath said nozzle structure, an annular flexible liquid valve element having an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve and a recessed underside between said sleeves, a washer element carried on the reduced diameter portion of said boss, said inner sleeve being positioned on and fixed to the reduced diameter portion of said boss so that a lower recessed underside of said liquid valve element bears against said washer element, said nozzle structure having an upper surface surrounding said liquid passage and providing a seating surface for said flexible valve element, and means cooperating With said outer sleeve to flex said liquid valve element upwardly away from the seating surface on said nozzle structure, said washer element, when said liquid valve element is in closed position, preventing deflection downwardly of said liquid valve element into the holes of said web.

4. A filling valve of the character described in claim 3, wherein said washer element has a diameter at least as great as a diameter of the liquid passage of said nozzle structure and tapers in thickness from its center toward its outer circumference.

5. In a filling valve for a counter-pressure filler of the type having a reservoir for a liquid and a superposed body of gas; a container-engaging nozzle structure adapted to be supported on the bottom apertured wall of said reservoir, said nozzle structure having a liquid passage therethrough and a gas tube supported centrally of said liquid passage and extending upwardly into the superposed body of gas in the reservoir and downwardly beneath the nozzle structure, an annular flexible liquid valve element having an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, said inner sleeve of said liquid valve element being adapted to be fixed relative to said gas tube, a tubular liquid valve-actuating stem connected at its lower end to the outer sleeve of said liquid valve element and extending upwardly within the reservoir, means to move said liquid valve-actuating stem vertically so as to flex said liquid valve element to open and close the same, and a collar 6 member carried by said tubular liquid valve-actuating stem and surrounding the outer sleeve of said liquid valve element, said collar member preventing said liquid valve element from expanding across its major diameter.

6. A filling valve of the character described in claim. 5,

wherein said nozzle structure has a surface surrounding its liquid passage upon which said liquid valve element seats, and wherein said collar member has its lower end spaced from the seating surface of the nozzle structure to thereby provide a stop for downward movement of the valve-actuating stem.

7. A filling valve of the character described in claim 5, wherein the lower portion of said collar member which surrounds the outer sleeve of said flexible valve member is spaced from said flexible valve member and wherein said collar member is provided with at least one transverse opening communicating With the space between said collar member and the outer sleeve of said liquid valve member whereby liquid can flow between said collar member and said outer sleeve of said valve element when said valve element is open.

8. In a filling valve for a counter-pressure filler of the type having a reservoir for a liquid and a superposed body of gas; a container-engaging nozzle structure adapted to be supported on the bottom apertured wall of said reservoir, said nozzle structure having a liquid passage therethrough and an upper seating surface surrounding the liquid passage, a gas tube supported centrally of said liquid passage and extending upwardly into the superposed body of gas and downwardly beneath said nozzle structure, an annular flexible liquid valve element having an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve with an undercut groove therein, said inner sleeve being adapted to be fixed relative to said gas flow tube, a tubular valve-actu ating stem having an outwardly extending flange at its lower end, said flange being adapted to be received in the undercut groove of the outer sleeve of said liquid valve element, means to move said tubular valve-actuating stem vertically so as to open and close the liquid valve element, a collar member carried on the lower end of said valve-actuating stem, said collar member surrounding the outer sleeve of said liquid valve element to prevent expansion across the major diameter of said liquid valve element, the portion of said collar member surrounding said outer sleeve being spaced from the outer sleeve, said collar member having at least one opening transversely therethrough and communicating with the space between the outer sleeve of said valve element and the inner wall of said collar member so that when said valve-actuating stem is moved vertically upwardly to open said valve element so that liquid from the reservoir can flow both on the outside of said collar member and on the inside of said collar member between it and the sleeve through the liquid passage in said nozzle structure.

9. A filling valve of the character described in claim 8, wherein a rigid washer element is provided beneath said flexible liquid valve element, said washer element having a diameter at least as great as the diameter of the liquid passage in said nozzle structure to thereby prevent said liquid valve element from bulging downwardly into the liquid passage when the liquid valve element is closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,640,640 Meyer June 2, 1953 

